Day 1: Arrive in Chennai

On arrival at Chennai International Airport, you will be greeted in the Arrivals Hall by your National Escort or Local Guide from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with fellow group members arriving at a similar time, you will transfer to your hotel in Chennai for check-in.

Overnight in Chennai

Hotel: The Residency Towers, Chennai     

Day 2: Discover Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)

This morning, a tour briefing will be held at your hotel before travelling to Mamallapuram, around an hour and a half’s drive from Chennai. Explore this coastal temple town, famous for its 7th and 8th century rock carvings and striking stone temples. Later this afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to relax and recover from your journey.

Overnight in Mamallapuram

Hotel: Grand Bay, Mamallapuram     

Day 3: Mamallapuram → Chennai City Tour

After breakfast, return to Chennai to begin a city tour. Visit Marina Beach, stretching for more than 13 kilometres, before continuing to Fort St. George. Later, explore the Shiva Kapaleeswarar Temple. Today’s sightseeing will involve approximately four to five hours on foot.

Overnight in Chennai

Hotel: The Residency Towers, Chennai     

Day 4: Train to Bengaluru → Drive to Mysore (Karnataka)

Rise early to board the Shatabdi Express bound for Mysore, a journey of around six hours. A light breakfast and beverages will be served on the train. Upon arrival in Mysore, meet your local representative for a transfer to your hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Mysore

Hotel: Fortune JP Palace, Mysore    

Day 5: Mysore Sightseeing

After breakfast, explore the royal city of Mysore, beginning with the magnificent Mysore Palace, a stunning Indo-Saracenic masterpiece completed in 1912. Continue to the Rail Museum before heading to Chamundi Hill for sweeping views over the city and a visit to Chamundeshwari Temple, reached by climbing 1,008 steps. Later, visit St. Philomena’s Church, one of Asia’s tallest churches, showcasing fine Neo-Gothic architecture. Return to your hotel in the evening.

Overnight in Mysore

Hotel: Fortune JP Palace, Mysore    

Day 6: Srirangapatna → Ooty

Following breakfast, travel to Srirangapatna, just 20km from Mysore. Once the capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, this town is steeped in history. Explore its ramparts, battlements and gates, and visit the revered Ranganathaswamy Temple. After lunch, continue to Ooty, known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ and a former colonial-era retreat.

Overnight in Ooty

Hotel: Gem Park, Ooty    

Day 7: Ooty Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to Doddabetta Peak, the Nilgiris’ highest point at 2,637 metres, for panoramic views. Continue to the Government Botanical Garden, a 55-acre expanse established in 1848, home to vibrant blooms, rare orchids, and a fossilised tree thought to be 20 million years old. This afternoon, visit Toda tribal villages to learn about their traditional lifestyle, before exploring the Tribal Museum with its fascinating collection of artefacts and crafts. Return to your hotel in the evening.

Overnight in Ooty

Hotel: Gem Park, Ooty    

Day 8: Nilgiri Mountain Railway:Ooty → Mettupalayam → Coimbatore

Check out of your hotel at 11:00 and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before boarding the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Mettupalayam at 14:00. Arriving around 17:15, experience this UNESCO World Heritage railway with its dramatic scenery and engineering marvels dating back to 1854. On arrival, drive 40km to Coimbatore, known as the ‘Manchester of South India’, for hotel check-in.

Please note: Train journeys are subject to weather conditions and may be replaced with a road transfer in case of cancellation.

Overnight in Coimbatore

Hotel: The Residency Towers, Chennai     

Day 9: Coimbatore → Munnar (approx. 5 hours)

Today, drive through the highlands into Kerala, crossing the state border en route to Munnar. On arrival, check into your resort and take in stunning mountain views. Later, visit a tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum to learn about tea cultivation, with the option to explore Eravikulam National Park (depending on season).

Overnight in Munnar

Hotel: Ragamaya Resort & Spa    

Day 10: Munnar Exploration

Begin the day with a guided bird-watching walk in the serene surroundings of your resort. Continue with a spice plantation tour to discover how cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves are cultivated. After lunch, enjoy a scenic trek through the lush hills, forests, and valleys around Ragamaya, passing streams and waterfalls before returning to the resort in the evening.

Overnight in Munnar

Hotel: Ragamaya Resort & Spa    

Day 11: Munnar → Thekkady

This morning visit Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (closed February–April, when an alternative light trek will be arranged). Continue your drive to Thekkady, gateway to Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Overnight in Thekkady

Hotel: Greenwoods, Thekkady    

Day 12: Periyar Wildlife Reserve

Rise early for a guided nature walk in Periyar National Park, where you may encounter elephants, barking deer, wild dogs, and with luck, a tiger. Long sleeves and trousers are recommended. The afternoon is at leisure before enjoying an evening performance of Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s traditional martial art.

Overnight in Thekkady

Hotel: Greenwoods, Thekkady    

Day 13: Drive to Kochi (Cochin)

Travel to Kochi, famously known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. This historic port city boasts a rich cultural heritage, blending influences from Arab, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders. On arrival, transfer to your boutique heritage hotel.

Overnight in Kochi

Hotel: Tea Bungalow    

Day 14: Explore Kochi

Today, explore Kochi’s highlights including St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, and the iconic Chinese fishing nets. Visit the Jewish synagogue in the historic Jewish Quarter. Sightseeing today will involve two to three hours on foot.

Overnight in Kochi

Hotel: Tea Bungalow    

Day 15: Backwater Cruise – Kumarakom to Alleppey

This morning, visit Kumbalangi fishing village before transferring to Kumarakom to board your traditional ‘Kettuvallam’ houseboat. As you cruise along the tranquil backwaters towards Alleppey, observe daily life along the banks and soak up Kerala’s enchanting scenery. Accommodation is simple, yet the experience is unique and memorable. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on Houseboat

Day 16: Trivandrum Sightseeing → Kovalam

After breakfast on the houseboat, disembark and drive towards Kovalam, stopping en route for sightseeing in Trivandrum. Visit the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Museum, the Observatory, Kanakakunnu Palace, and Sree Moolamthirunal Shastri Purthi Memorial. Continue to Kovalam and check into your beachside hotel.

Overnight in Kovalam

Hotel: The Travancore Heritage    

Day 17: Relax in Kovalam

This morning, take a walking tour of Kovalam including its lighthouse and seafront promenade. The afternoon is free to relax on the sandy beaches or at your resort. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.

Overnight in Kovalam

Hotel: The Travancore Heritage    

Day 18: Depart Trivandrum

Transfer to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (Trivandrum) for your onward flight. Any time before departure will be at leisure.